South Africa is so often described as a “World in One Country”! It is a land of spectacular beauty (more than 5 times the size of the British Isles) and has something for everyone, from gourmets to wildlife enthusiasts, beach-lovers to adventure seekers, and anyone looking for the ultimate African cultural experience. It is a great holiday destination and with a weakening Rand it offers incredible value.

There is a wide variety of accommodation, from international 5 star luxury hotels and country houses, to good value bed and breakfasts, enabling a choice that reflects your preferences and budget. The main areas of interest are the Cape for Cape Town, the coast, Winelands and the Garden Route; Mpumalanga for the “big-5” game reserves and country house hotels; and Kwazulu Natal for the coast, Drakensberg Mountains, Zululand and game reserves. Eating out in South Africa is amazing value. Prices at a good restaurant are approximately R15 for starters, R30 - 60 for main courses, R15 for puddings, R10 for coffee and R40 - 80 for good wine. Please book a table to avoid disappointment, especially in Cape Town between December and April. We have recommended several of our favourite restaurants for your enjoyment.

There are currently 44 direct flights a week from London to Johannesburg and Cape Town. Flying time from the UK is 11 hours overnight and there is a 1 or 2 hour time difference. Itineraries can be easily combined with Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mauritius and the Mozambiquan Benguerra Island. South Africa has an extensive domestic air service that reaches all main centres.

Most visitors to South Africa hire a car for part of their trip because it offers the freedom to explore at your own pace. The roads are good, well maintained and relatively empty so getting from A to B can be a pleasure. Driving is on the left and in non-built up areas speed limits are 125 kph (75 mph) so distances can be covered quite quickly. We use Europcar as they have good quality cars, a wide network, excellent back up, are competitively priced, and have always been totally reliable.